Chess Openings Lab
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Benoni Defense: Old Benoni

The Old Benoni is 1...c5, striking at d4 before Black has played ...Nf6. White can grab space with d5, take with dxc5, or turn the game into an open fight with e4, while Black hopes to reach Benoni structures on its own terms.

Moves
1.d4 c5
ECO
A43, A44
Engine
+0.71 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
19,434 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 2.d5 is the main space-grabbing reply. With e4 and Nc3 next, White gets a big center and keeps the c-pawn flexible.
  • 2.dxc5 takes a pawn, but after ...e6 and ...Bxc5 Black regains it with quick development, so White must hurry too.
  • 2.e4 lets Black take on d4; after Nf3 and c3, White opens lines for fast piece play.

Black

  • After 2.d5, Black can play ...Nf6, ...e6 and ...d6 to reach a Benoni structure, as the main engine line shows.
  • ...e5 locks the center at once and leads to a closed game with ...d6 and ...Be7, aiming for ...f5 later.
  • Against 2.dxc5, ...e6 and ...Bxc5 regain the pawn with a free bishop and an easy game.

Plans and pawn structure

After 2.d5 the center belongs to White: pawns on d5 and soon e4, with the c-pawn free to go to c4 or stay home. Black's plans depend on the structure chosen. With ...e6 and a trade on d5, Black plays for a queenside majority and ...b5. With ...e5, Black closes the center and later plays ...f5. White should develop with Nc3, e4 and Bd3 and only then choose a pawn break. In the dxc5 line the game is open and development speed matters most.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.71: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.71 2.d5 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.e4 d6
  2. +0.16 2.dxc5 e6 3.e4 Bxc5 4.Bd3 d6
  3. +0.11 2.e4 cxd4 3.Nf3 e5 4.c3 Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

19,434 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.7%.

under 120049.1%
1200–159951.0%
1600–199951.0%
2000 and up50.1%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Benoni Gambit Accepted2.dxc5 · 6,350 games
  • Benoni-Indian Defense2.d5 · 1,174 games
  • Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit2.b4 · rare
  • Cormorant Gambit2.dxc5 · rare
  • Woozle2.d5 · rare
  • Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit, Tamarkin Countergambit2.Nf3 · rare
  • Liedmann Gambit2.c4 · rare

How to play against it

As White, 2.d5 gives the most space and the clearest plans. 2.dxc5 and 2.e4 are playable but hand Black open lines and easy development. Keep the d5 pawn supported by e4 and Nc3 before pushing for more.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.d4 c5 2.d5; 1.d4 c5 2.d5 d6; 1.d4 c5 2.d5 e5.

Questions

What are the moves of the Benoni Defense: Old Benoni?

The Benoni Defense: Old Benoni starts 1.d4 c5. Its ECO code is A43, A44.

Is the Benoni Defense: Old Benoni good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.71 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 19,434 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.7%. Practical for Black players who want Benoni positions without allowing many sidelines, though White gets more freedom than usual.

What is the main idea of the Benoni Defense: Old Benoni?

Black attacks d4 on move one, inviting White to push d5 and gain space. Black then builds a Benoni setup or closes the center with ...e5, while White uses the space for e4, Nc3 and kingside development.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with dxc5 and e4 close behind. 2.d5 takes space and blocks the c5 pawn's pressure, setting up e4 and Nc3 with a big center.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.